I'm somewhat handy in terms of bike repairs. I'm still wrapping my head around the differences of dealing with a trike's needs vs that of a normal bike. But the first important thing I need to know is: Where is the damn serial number? I've been looking for it all over the place on the trike and I can't seem to find it.

I decided that now's the best time to ask questions as I consider putting in some upgrades. Specifically, I'm considering the idea of upgrading the rims to ones that have either 32 or 48 spokes. Whether this is impractical, I'm not entirely sure but it should work fine, as it appears to me that I shouldn't worry too much about how the rim's set up as long as the hubs fit onto the new build.

That said, I'm also considering other upgrades as well. In this pic, you'll likely see a fair few things that needs upgrading. If so, please suggest them and I'll consider them.

Speaking of other upgrades, I need to replace the mirrors with an identical set with extended arms because the one that's on the trike right now does not give me very good visibility as to when cars are coming up from behind.

Also... is it possible to get a headrest for this trike?

Some other stuff that I need to get is adding a longer tube that wraps around the chain that you see is bolted mid-frame. I'm not sure what this is called but I'd like to replace it with a longer one so that I can add a small saddle bag as it were forward of the seat without the chain rubbing the material away.

I'll also need to add fenders but unfortunately, that won't be for a while.

bad thought,perhaps - such can run you into money when having fun -
utah trikes has 24-inch handcycle wheels that would probably fit your trike for $75, give it a slingshot look, transfer weight forward, and get the derailleur a bit further from the pavement.

am rebuilding a slightly later x-3 usx at the moment, serial number on it is stamped at the front bottom of the steer tube, yours probably same.

what you are after is a chain tube: diy, lbs, flared and cut to custom length

mirrors dunno but adding a mirrycle mtb to the right handlebar end might do ya.

for parts possibilities:

Hi, James. I believe you're correct on this. I'll check the serial number tomorrow when it's daylight and confirm. Thanks for giving me an idea of where to check. That's the one spot I had not considered checking.

Ah, chain tubes... so that's what they're called. Good to know! Thanks for the source. Very handy!

Was already planning on purchasing Mirrycle MTB bar end mirrors. Those should help with adding more visibility. I hope. If not, I'll have to make some modifications. :|

I'll check out Niagara and see what they've got.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesr

bad thought,perhaps - such can run you into money when having fun -
utah trikes has 24-inch handcycle wheels that would probably fit your trike for $75, give it a slingshot look, transfer weight forward, and get the derailleur a bit further from the pavement.

Heh, bad thoughts're all the name of the game, no? As far as the derailleur goes, that was partly why I wanted to maybe consider replacing them with larger tires, to get the derailleur further higher. It's fine as is, as I've not scraped against anything from below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauly

Hi,

Nice ride. your wheels are already very strong because of their small size. You can try messing with tires. Greenspeed scorchers roll nice as do Trykers and Big Apples.

+1 for mountain mirrycle bar end mirrors.

You might want to take a look at sticking a handlebar bag alongside your seat. It is a bit spendy but really handy.

Have Fun!

I've not replaced the tires yet, they're still good to go but I'll definitely be replacing them Soon™.

Heh, I found the seatside mount system that specifically fits this trike and others on Amazon. I may consider using that system too, but right now I've got this bag that fits my trike pretty much perfectly. amazon.com/gp/product/B01FPI12E4 is the one I bought.

Edit: Just need a longer chain tube to ensure that the bag is protected from the chain. Where I want to put it on the trike has it partially rubbing against the chain, which is why I am looking to get a longer chain tube. After that, it's pretty much perfect.

.. The spoke count of what you now have is there for a very good reason. To lesson this to 32 - is to weaken the strength of your wheels. If you goal is to have a blistering time trial record ( on a Sun EZ-3 ) --- this is part of what to do.

To increase it to 48 spokes is great for attention in the local parades.

... The Greenspeed Scorchers tyres have are equal in size and non reflective Side Wall Strip with what originally came with your trike.

The Schwalbe Trykers is the same size with a Reflective Side Wall Strip. This means your Ride Quality will stay the same --- but you will be seen better.

***
Some will quickly say to look for a set of "406" Schwalbe Marathon Supremes
***

Three "406" Schwalbe Big Apples or Big Apple Plus Tyres will do what the other tyres "never thought of".

***
They can be purchased from Amazon to WalMart or at your local bike shop.
***

***
A larger diameter wheel relates to a "tip/ roll over speed" that is sooner than what you currently have.
***

.. The spoke count of what you now have is there for a very good reason. To lesson this to 32 - is to weaken the strength of your wheels. If you goal is to have a blistering time trial record ( on a Sun EZ-3 ) --- this is part of what to do.

To increase it to 48 spokes is great for attention in the local parades.

... The Greenspeed Scorchers tyres have are equal in size and non reflective Side Wall Strip with what originally came with your trike.

The Schwalbe Trykers is the same size with a Reflective Side Wall Strip. This means your Ride Quality will stay the same --- but you will be seen better.

***
Some will quickly say to look for a set of "406" Schwalbe Marathon Supremes
***

Three "406" Schwalbe Big Apples or Big Apple Plus Tyres will do what the other tyres "never thought of".

***
They can be purchased from Amazon to WalMart or at your local bike shop.
***

***
A larger diameter wheel relates to a "tip/ roll over speed" that is sooner than what you currently have.
***

Regarding the tires, I think I'll give the Trykers a run. Reflective sidewalls'd be definitely something I'd want on mine. I need to add more lights to my trike as I discovered that I'm practically nearly invisible, so to speak from the sides. Lots of lights front and back but worthless visibility on the sides. So reflective sidewalls will go some way to resolving that particular issue...

Unfortunately, that'll have to wait. I also saw some people mentioning they added lights that point downwards over the trike and I think that's a good idea.

As far as the larger diameter wheels being a tipping concern... that's true, I suppose. So far I seem to do well on the streets around here in Lincoln, NE.

Locate a place that will have a trike with tryes as you are going to use and a trike with big Apple Tyres.

Ride one and then the other --- this way for at least two times each. You will find out what you are not to sure of --- is better.

--------------
Folks that have purchased A Cycling Light that has a Cone Pattern have learned they purchased a light that is very annoying to any other person. By aiming the light down-wards ---- they are trying to make a compromise.

Look into The StVZO Lighting and the reasons why. For riding on the streets around Lincoln a squared-off beam has advantages.

------------------
Your trike is rated for 400 pounds. Your 36 Spoked Wheel is part of this.

Locate a place that will have a trike with tryes as you are going to use and a trike with big Apple Tyres.

Ride one and then the other --- this way for at least two times each. You will find out what you are not to sure of --- is better.

--------------
Folks that have purchased A Cycling Light that has a Cone Pattern have learned they purchased a light that is very annoying to any other person. By aiming the light down-wards ---- they are trying to make a compromise.

Look into The StVZO Lighting and the reasons why. For riding on the streets around Lincoln a squared-off beam has advantages.

------------------
Your trike is rated for 400 pounds. Your 36 Spoked Wheel is part of this.

I have a CatEye light mounted on the handlebars and a helmet mounted light. With the two, I have all the forward visibility I need. Not so much the downward visibility though, which I will eventually correct as it'd be nice to be able to look down and see clearly.

Far as I can tell, the two work together without annoying others but I could be wrong on that. The helmet-mounted light is actually stronger than the handlebar-mounted one. The 'bar mounted one is typically set to a flashing pattern whereas the helmet mounted one is set to its second beam mode so it doesn't blind people.

I have three LBSes but not all of them sell trikes. I'll have to check which ones do sell trikes and the relevant tires. Most likely though, I'll end up buying the tires untried and try them anyway.